Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness

Sunday, April 19, 2026
Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver

Let’s gather in the spirit of bayanihan to lift each other up, reflect on shared healing, and honour culture and community with care.

A full schedule and detailed programming for Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness will be released in the coming days and weeks. The community is invited to come together with care and continue the shared work of healing in ways that feel safe, respectful, and supportive.

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What to Expect for Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness will have a smaller, more reflective format compared to previous years. The event will take place in the enclosed parking lot and indoor space of the
    Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre at 3075 Slocan Street in East Vancouver. 

    The day will include moments for reflection and community engagement in the morning, followed by opportunities for connection through arts, cultural performances, and interactive activities in the afternoon. Community members will also have access to wellness resources and community supports throughout the event.

  • This year’s gathering won’t have an artisan palengke market but there will be food vendors and a selection of community organizations and partners present to share resources and supports with attendees.

  • Yes. The Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness has been intentionally designed to create space for reflection, remembrance, and communal healing. 

    The morning portion of the gathering will focus on quiet reflection and community engagement. Attendees will have opportunities to share space and connect with supports and resources from community organizations.

    Recognizing that healing looks different for everyone, community members are encouraged to participate in ways that feel meaningful to them and supportive of their individual healing needs. The event will provide a respectful environment for people to come together with care, compassion, and solidarity. Additional details about a community memorial service that will take place in the weeks following the gathering will be shared at a later date.

  • The Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre has generously donated the use of their space for the Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness. The venue provides a secure outdoor area within an enclosed parking lot as well as indoor space, providing a welcoming environment that supports thoughtful programming and enhanced safety planning. 

    Hosting the event at the Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre also reflects the strong connection between Vancouver’s Filipino and Italian communities, which share long histories as immigrant communities and shared values of culture, food and family.

  • The Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, community partners, and arts and culture grants. These contributions help cover the costs associated with hosting the event, including the venue, safety planning, and community programming.

    United Way Kapwa grant funding is not being used to support this event.

    The event is free to attend, ensuring that community members of all ages can gather, connect, and participate in a welcoming and supportive environment.

  • No. The Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness is not intended to generate profit or serve as a fundraising event.

    The gathering is supported through sponsors, community partners, and arts and culture grants. A small number of vendors, such as food trucks, may pay a participation fee to help cover basic operational costs associated with hosting the event.

    Community wellness exhibitors, including community organizations and non-profit groups offering cultural, mental health, and community support services, are invited to participate free of charge to ensure accessibility and community participation.

  • Updates about Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness, including programming details and schedules, will be shared on our website (https://lapulapuday.com/) and Instagram (@lapulapuday).

  • Thank you for your interest in getting involved.

    Sponsors: Please reach out to sponsorship@filipinobc.com for more details about how you can partner with us for this event.

    Exhibitors: Please fill out this form if you are an organization that provides support for the community, and/or a group that provides culturally and socially relevant services, spaces, or resources.

    Food Vendors: Thank you for your interest. We are currently at capacity for food vendors at the event.

    Volunteers: Please reach out to volunteers@filipinobc.com if you would like to get involved as a volunteer.

  • Yes. The event is free and open to the public, and community members of all ages are welcome to attend.

  • Cultural expression remains an important part of Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness. The event will include cultural performances, arts, storytelling, food, and interactive activities that highlight the diversity and richness of Filipino culture. These aspects will be reserved for the afternoon to keep the morning focused on reflection and remembrance. 

    A full lineup, schedule and additional details on the gathering’s arts and culture programming will be available soon.

  • Organizers have been mindful throughout the planning process of the impact that the events of last year had on families, survivors, witnesses, and the broader community. We recognize that people in the community are grieving in different ways. Some have shared that they are not ready to gather, while others have expressed that being together in community can be an important part of healing.

    In shaping this year’s event, organizers have considered the perspectives and feedback from families, survivors, witnesses, and the broader community. Healing is not linear and we recognize that people are grieving in different ways and at different paces. Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness strives to engage with a range of community needs by providing space for reflection, connection, communal healing, and access to community resources.

  • Since the tragic events of April 26, 2025, we have been carefully reflecting on the current needs of the community. While some people feel ready for a large festival again, others are still grieving and would prefer something more reflective. The decision to scale down the event prioritizes care, safety, and meaningful participation for those who attend, while simultaneously creating space for people to gather and support one another.

  • The decision to proceed with a Lapu Lapu Day gathering was not made lightly. We understand there are many different perspectives from those impacted, including people who felt the event should not continue and others who felt that gathering as a community would be an important part of healing. 

    While we know that not everyone agrees with this decision, it came from reflecting on the community’s needs, weighing safety and responsibility, and recognizing that many people still see value in having a space to come together, heal in their own ways, and highlight Filipino culture. Moving forward was not about ignoring what happened, but about honouring the community’s need for connection while continuing Lapu Lapu Day’s legacy of creating space for the community to gather.

  • That is completely understandable. Healing looks different for everyone, and there is no expectation to attend. Community members are encouraged to engage in whatever way feels right for them.

  • This year’s gathering reflects where the community is right now. Organizers will continue to evaluate future gatherings based on community members’ emerging needs. The intention is to honour the spirit of Lapu Lapu Day while ensuring events remain thoughtful and responsive to the community.

  • Safety is a top priority for the Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness. Event production and safety planning are being led by EventLAB, organizers who have worked closely with the City of Vancouver to support safety and security planning for festivals and public gatherings across the city.

    Genesis Security, British Columbia’s premier security company, has graciously donated their services and is developing a comprehensive safety and security plan. This includes controlled access, defined entry points, trained security personnel, coordination with emergency services, and on site supports available to attendees throughout the event.

    Mental health service providers will also be available throughout the day to support community members who may need care or assistance.

    To support a welcoming and safe environment for everyone, community guidelines will also be in place. All participants are expected to engage respectfully with attendees, volunteers, and other organizations. Harassment, intimidation, aggressive behaviour, or disruptive conduct will not be permitted. Participants must comply with the event’s full conduct expectations outlined in the event participation guidelines and policies.